The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-17
MARRIED IN HASTE.
A Girls Narrow Escape From Be-
ing Disinherited.

The night before my wedding-day
Was ever night so full of hours-were
ever hours so full of dreary minutes,
that seemed to crawl after each other
through its dead, cold gloom?
Yet it was, by my own consent, tc
be my wedding-day tomorrow. had
said it; l had not only said it, but had
said l should never repent.
As the early dawn breaks through
the gloom of night hear the old cock
in the farm-yard give q dismal boot,
preparatory to his first crow to the new
day.
And, utterly tired out, I drop asleep.
One two three four-five six
seyen-eight beats of the tall oil clock
on the stairhead outside my door and
jump wildly to my feet.
AT nine o'clock, then," he had said.
had only one hour-only one hour
to be Norah Glennie.
At the. time that clock struck ten
should be Norah Mapleson-a wife, a
true wife to q true husband
lrearrange my dress with feverish
haste.
only stop to drink cup of milk ere
leave the house, only just in time to
catch the train as it passes our country
station.
am in time.
Once more my hands are clasped in
his.
We say no word; only hurry through
the sleepy streets till we enter the dingy
office where, by some strange method,
we are made man and wife, All is a
dream to me.
wonder vaguely where are my
bridesmaids, where are are my father
and motherP Bah! why of course they
are dead long, long ago. have only
my old uncle, and he is lying bedridden
at Norlington Farm.
How could he be here? The only
thing that seems real to me is the shin
ing ring on my finger.
look at it in kind of fear as draw
my old kid glove over it before leaving
the house into which Norah Glennie
had gone few minutes ago, and out
OF which now white, startled woman
was issuing-Norah Mapleson.
Don't he so distressed, my darling!
Don't look so or can not bear it!''
| draw a deep breath; l stretch out
my hand little wildly, l suppose, for
he takes it firmly in his and lays it on
his arm as he hurries me through the
streets back again in the direction of
the railway station.
Once more we are in the train.
"Mine-mine forever! 1 do not fear
the future now" is all my husband
says; but there is a world of love in his
eyes.
Poor William! In a weeks time he
will be on the ocean and we will have
parted for many months-perhaps
years.
He lets me rest quietly in his arms
during the very short journey back
again to Norlington. I get out of the
train alone, us he is going on some
business two stations further on; then
he will come back for the rest of the
week to the farm.
Before you 90 into his room, wife,
darling, you will take it Off" he
touches my finger, on which the bright
new wedding ring glitters.
II can notr' say, shuddering. ut
is unlucky to remove wedding ring!"
"But, my darling, his sharp eyes
will'-
The train goes on, and l am alone.
i see his face look at me from the win
dow, alarmed and anxious; but l nod
reassuringly and he smiles.
1t causes no remark that | have been
out SO early this morning, for every
thing lately is SO upset by reason of my
uncie's illness and Williams near de-
partare.
Then, again, there is only old Betty
IN the kitchen; and perhaps she scarcely
knows i have been out; and if the
nurse who has been called in to attend
ms uncle knows, she, doubtless, thinks
have beer into town on some house
hold errand.
About my ring. l must hide it; but